“He’s gotta change the culture”: Nick Saban throws “tough” advice to Florida HC Billy Napier’s way
In Week 1, the Florida Gators kicked off the season in disappointing fashion by suffering a 41-17 blowout loss at home to the Miami Hurricanes.
Entering his third season with Florida, Billy Napier's record is just 11-15 in his time as the Gators head coach. Upon landing the job, expectations were high for Napier and the Gators after the coach led three straight seasons of 10 wins or more at Louisiana from 2019-2021.
Entering the Week 2 matchup versus Samford, Nick Saban had some tough advice for Billy Napier on "College GameDay" on Saturday.
"I think he's got to change the culture," Saban said on the show. "I mean the culture is not what it needs to be in terms of the tangible things that you play with. The toughness, the discipline. To control the line of scrimmage. They're just not doing those types of things. I know he took over a tough situation, but hopefully, you can establish that culture in year three."
Despite last weeks' performance, the Gators should be able to bounce back versus Samford. Florida will look to build some momentum as they enter a tough four-game stretch against teams like Texas A&M, Mississippi State and Tennessee.
Billy Napier to start five-star freshman in Florida's Week 2 contest
Entering Florida's Week 2 matchup with Samford, Billy Napier will look to five-star freshman D.J. Lagway to lead the Gators. Lagway will make his first collegiate start after Graham Mertz suffered a concussion during last week's game against Miami.
With Mertz remaining in concussion protocol, Lagway will have the opportunity to make his case as the starter as Florida searches for some stability following the Week 1 loss.
D.J. Lagway was ranked as the No. 3 recruit in the country by "247Sports" coming out of Willis Highschool in Willis, Texas. Lagway was also the No. 1 quarterback recruit and No. 1 recruit in Texas for the Class of 2024.
The freshman quarterback made his collegiate debut last weekend versus Miami, completing three of six pass attempts for 36 yards and picking up 20 yards on four carries on the ground.